SAR

[Reality]

Xs3 do you want him on the Spurs for Scola?

SAR himself says he will need to do damage control on the injury report.  He says it's way overblown.

[Guest_Randy]

You just DON'T seem to get it, do you Reality?  

SAR is NOT going to be happy going to the Spurs and sitting on the bench.  He isn't exactly at the end of his career -- he has a couple of great years left in him and the Spurs not only don't need him but they also don't want TD to move to center.  

I can think of several teams that SAR could go to and help (Miami would be a better choice than SA, IMO) but any team is going to have to make a pretty strong commitment to starting and starter minutes!


This is just a HORRIBLE mess that NJ has gotten themselves in -- first they raise questions about SAR's knees (it's not his knees that have caused him trouble in the past, is it?) and then NJ goes out and trades for Marc Jackson (who is not only at the end of his career but couldn't land the starting job and quality minutes in Philly).  NJ has just KISSED going deep in the playoffs goodbye!

It will be very interesting to see where SAR goes now -- kinda wonder what SAR would be like in Boston.

[Reality]

You just DON'T seem to get it, do you Reality? 

 

You just don't get it.  Your name is not Xs3.

Who knows what SAR will or won't do with these new Nets injury reports?  To those of us who use our free will and freedom of choice we are not bound to birth-to-death-one-way-only thinking.  Maybe he will want to dawn Purple n Gold panties.

He may well only want starters minutes.

Or he may be upset, decide he wants meaningful minutes on a title contender.
I'm not sure the Spurs want him.  Perhaps the Spurs are still planning on signing Scola, even if its next year.  Scola is only 24.

[Joe Vancil]

Well, I was going to chime in on this, but my name's not X3, either.

Oh, what the hell.

The real question is whether you're looking at Abdur-Rahim at the 3 or at the 4.  I've always maintained that you should look at him at the 3.  An average rebounder at the 4 makes a good rebounder at the 3.

Miami wouldn't be a bad place to go, provided he goes as a 3.  San Antonio would be awful, unless Duncan agrees to move to the center spot.  But the team that would most interest me if I were Abdur-Rahim is HOUSTON.

Houston has McGrady playing the 3 right now, with David Wesley at the 2, Juwon Howard and Stromile Swift at the 4.  Point guard will either be Mike James or Bobby Sura as it stands now.  Abdur-Rahim could play the 4, or he could playe the 3 with McGrady moving back to the 2.  This would allow you to use Wesley at point - he did break into the league at the point.  THAT'S ONE BIG TEAM.  And playing at Van Gundy's snail pace, that means REBOUNDING is an absolute must.

Offensively, Abdur-Rahim could thrive in that system.  And given that Van Gundy's offense is one of the most stagnant in the game, a capable scorer couldn't hurt.

It'll have to be a sign-and-trade, I believe, but I'd think Houston could find SOMETHING Portland would want - even if it were just an expiring contract.
 

[Derek Bodner]

That's the thing.  Portland (I think) doesn't even want expiring contracts.  They want no salary coming back this year, that's why they were talking to NJ for their trade exception.

[Reality]

Well, I was going to chime in on this, but my name's not X3, either.

Oh, what the hell.

 

No no everyone is welcome to add their thoughts.

It's more a case of Randolph just trying to take the opposite stance, plus he is not being up to date on what has transpired with SAR and the injury.  

Might change some things, might not.

I'm not bucking for him being a Spur.  If he does I'm sure they will make him fit at the right spot.  Pops Offensive enlightenment and adjustments in the 2005 Playoffs is  :wub:

Houston?  Wow they have done well so far in the offseason IMO.  Why won't they add Deke again for minimal.  Or his he squaking for an increase over his current 18 mil accumulated salary?

[SPURSX3]

reality, since the whole Scola contract buyout situation started, not many teams would be interested in buying out Luis contract.  They would like to have Scola, but they no NOBODY can pay off 14mill to him at this point, Scola will stay a Spurs prospect this year IMO.  I dont think anyone is going to bite on his contract.


as for SAR, I dont see him looking to join the Spurs, I think he wants playing time and money at this point in his career.  The Spurs would likely want him, but not for much money because of the cap, and he would more than likely come off the bench.  My feeling is a lot of free agents look at the Spurs and knnow there is a good chance to win a title, but A) there is not a lot of money, B) they would more then likely come off the bench because we have a solid starting five for now.  I think they dismiss us becuase of that.

[rickortreat]

He could very well wind up in Philly.  The Sixers now are under the luxury tax cap, so they have money.  They also now need a big man to replace Jackson.  The trade to NJ was a risk in that they have to find someone better than Marc to fill the role.

If SAR's knees are bad, he won't be the guy, but there aren't exactly a large number of players that will fit Philly's need for a 4/5 postion player.

Some of the names floating around aren't making me feel too happy about this:  Mcarty. Declerq, Steven Hunter, Jahadi White, Christian Laettner, Dale Davis.  

 

[Reality]

 My feeling is a lot of free agents look at the Spurs and knnow there is a good chance to win a title, but A) there is not a lot of money, B) they would more then likely come off the bench because we have a solid starting five for now.  I think they dismiss us becuase of that.

I just talked to an NBA FA who got a call from the Spurs.  (Al Bundy shifting position on couch, inserting hand under belt buckle and letting out long sigh.)  He (can't reveal player, it's not SAR) is exactly as you mentioned.  Wants starters minutes.  Declined Spurs offer.

Scola at this point one can only wonder what the buyout really is.
He says-Spurs says.

 

[Guest_Randy]

You just DON'T seem to get it, do you Reality? 

 

You just don't get it.  Your name is not Xs3.

Who knows what SAR will or won't do with these new Nets injury reports?  To those of us who use our free will and freedom of choice we are not bound to birth-to-death-one-way-only thinking.  Maybe he will want to dawn Purple n Gold panties.

He may well only want starters minutes.

Or he may be upset, decide he wants meaningful minutes on a title contender.
I'm not sure the Spurs want him.  Perhaps the Spurs are still planning on signing Scola, even if its next year.  Scola is only 24.

You just don't get it.  Your name is not Xs3.

Hey, that's something that I have known all along -- but congrats on figuring that out!  Let's see, you've been here for what, 4 years, and you have just figured out that my name isn't Xs3 -- hmm, that means you won't get a clue about most of the stuff we post about until what?  237 years from now?

It's more a case of Randolph just trying to take the opposite stance, plus he is not being up to date on what has transpired with SAR and the injury.

Questions have risen concerning Abdur-Rahim's knee after the examination was performed by Dr. Michael Kelly, the Nets' orthopedist.

The 29-year-old Abdur-Rahim missed 22 games with the Blazers last season after undergoing surgery in mid-January to address loose particles in his right elbow.

"At this point I feel they're doing me a disservice," Abdur-Rahim told the Post. "Look at my history. I've never missed a game because of my knees. They could have asked the team that drafted me [Vancouver] or any of the teams that have traded for me [Atlanta, Portland]. Instead, they're putting it out there like I failed the physical and I'm damaged goods.

Okay, I do take back my original statement since you obviously STILL don't know what my name is.  I don't know what you insist on calling people names when you can't get a person to agree with you -- how old are you again?  

Perhaps you can update me on what has transpired with SAR and the injury.  What injury does he have to his knee?  I think you need to call SAR and report that injury to him -- he obviously doesn't know anything about it either.

He may well only want starters minutes.

Or he may be upset, decide he wants meaningful minutes on a title contender.
I'm not sure the Spurs want him.  Perhaps the Spurs are still planning on signing Scola, even if its next year.  Scola is only 24.

reality, since the whole Scola contract buyout situation started, not many teams would be interested in buying out Luis contract. They would like to have Scola, but they no NOBODY can pay off 14mill to him at this point, Scola will stay a Spurs prospect this year IMO. I dont think anyone is going to bite on his contract.


as for SAR, I dont see him looking to join the Spurs, I think he wants playing time and money at this point in his career. The Spurs would likely want him, but not for much money because of the cap, and he would more than likely come off the bench. My feeling is a lot of free agents look at the Spurs and knnow there is a good chance to win a title, but A) there is not a lot of money,  they would more then likely come off the bench because we have a solid starting five for now. I think they dismiss us becuase of that.

Reality, do you notice that everybody gets this with the exception of YOU!  SAR doesn't want to go to the Spurs and ride the bench -- he wants to start, I don't blame him.  Most guys don't want to go to a team and be handed a ring they didn't earn -- they want to actually earn it and walk away knowing that they were a vital part of that teams title.  I just don't understand why that is so difficult for you to understand (but I've got to keep reminding myself how long it has taken you to learn that I'm not Xs3).

[JoMal]

Ummm - this is going to be hard for you NBA bagheads to comprehend, but the chances of him playing for any of the teams you mentioned is nil.

SAR is going to be signed by the Kings either sometime today or by Friday.

[JoMal]

Here is the article from today's Bee. It was also alluded to this morning on the local sports radio show by someone within the Kings' organization that they are going to get it done.

The free-agent signing of Jamal Sampson Tuesday hardly was a fortification of the Kings' frontcourt.
It was more of a minor reinforcement, with the 6-foot-11, 235-pound forward from Cal re-entering the league in his fourth year.


  But a major piece may soon be added to the fortress.
With the New Jersey Nets' announcement of a rescinded sign-and-trade with Portland for Shareef Abdur-Rahim came the immediate reality that the nine-year veteran forward is back on the Kings' wish list. The Kings are on Abdur-Rahim's list of teams as well, with the failed proceedings of their first go-round now working in Sacramento's favor.

Abdur-Rahim's agent, Aaron Goodwin, said the Kings were willing to "do anything" to secure a deal with the one-time All-Star before he agreed in principle with New Jersey. The gesture was appreciated, and remembered, as was Abdur-Rahim's trip to Sacramento on which he was given the A-list tour in July.

"The beauty of the Kings was that, originally, they were willing to go out and do whatever they could to get Shareef," Goodwin said. "They discussed sign-and-trades with Portland, who didn't cooperate. (Still), we appreciated that fact. ...

"They are absolutely a serious team that we're looking at. ... I enjoy a great relationship with Sacramento's owners and know it's a situation where there's a need for (Abdur-Rahim's) style."

Abdur-Rahim won't be a Net because he failed the team physical, which revealed scar tissue in his right knee. The knee was surgically repaired in high school, and he never has missed a game due to the condition.

New Jersey subsequently traded cash and future considerations to Philadelphia for forward/center Marc Jackson.

Still, Nets president Rod Thorn was concerned arthritis would be a problem in the long term, deciding against giving the 28-year-old $38 million over six years. The Nets would have given Portland a $4.9 million trade exception and a 2006 first-round draft pick.

Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie was optimistic about his team's prospects and, apparently, unconcerned about the physical issues.

"In light of the events of (Tuesday), and that Shareef is now a free agent, we have very, very, very serious interest in trying to work something out in the next couple of days," Petrie said. "It's highly unlikely that this would be a sign-and-trade deal."

A sign-and-trade would be possible only if Portland general manager John Nash were willing to cooperate. He was adamant last month he wanted no salaries in return but may have changed his mind after he couldn't secure the trade exception he covets. Such a deal would give Abdur-Rahim a larger contract over six years, rather than the maximum of five years he can sign for with a new team. Nash was on vacation and unavailable for comment.

The Kings also retain a $5 million midlevel exception that could be used to land the player who has averaged 19.8 points per game in his career.

According to Goodwin, the ordeal has left Abdur-Rahim eager to join a team like the Kings.

"It was disheartening to see him played as someone who has an injury, which he doesn't," said Goodwin, whose client made $14.6 million last season. "This is all based on what could happen five or six years from now."

The terms of Sampson's deal are not yet known. Officially, the Kings become his sixth team since leaving Cal early. Sampson - who is the cousin of former King Ralph Sampson - was picked in the second round of the 2002 NBA draft. He then immediately was shipped from Utah to Orlando to Milwaukee. He has played with the Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte since, and was waived by the Bobcats in February. He has averaged 12.2 minutes and 2.8 points over 38 games since his rookie season.

[Skandery]

Good for the Kings.  And I hope Shareef returns to 20 and 9 for them.

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"we ummm, that is to say, aren't sure, that yeah, ummm, that we're ready to make a longterm commitment, because our, ummm, reservations, ummm concerning, uh, scar tissue, we think...."  

"We have a better idea, lets get someone who is older, doesn't score as well, doesn't rebound as well, doesn't defend as well, who has shown to be MORE injury prone than Shareef ever has or ever will be."    

New Jersey ownership has once again proven without a doubt they could give a monkey's gonad about winning.  6.3 mil a year for six years isn't going to break the bank, Ratner ya cheapskate!! :moon:    

[Guest_Randy]

I think SAR really helps the Kings -- they already have solid rebounding and defense from their center position -- they could use a PF who moves well with and without the ball.  I think SAR could really fit within the motion offense that the Kings use.  I'm not sure just how good a passer that SAR is -- it will be interesting to watch him should this story prove to be true.  

This would also make one of the Kings many PF's quite expendable.  I'm not sure how many would want to take on Kenny Thomas' contract -- but there could be interest in a few of the other PF's on the list.  Who knows, maybe the Kings should give Zeke a call -- he's building a hareem of undersized, overpaid PF's.

[Joe Vancil]

Scar tissue in the knee, huh?

Well, personally, I think this solves a BIG, BIG mystery:  the mystery of why Randy traded me Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Rip Hamilton for Gerald Wallace and Jeff Foster last year.  Obviously, Bruce Ratner heard about that, and did some digging to find out why.

Hey...it's the best explanation I can come up with for EITHER trade!  

(Sorry, Randy.  This is just something to rattle Skander's cage.  He *STILL* goes on and on about that trade.)